Toy retail giant Toys "R" Us has announced that Cornell Boggs is joining the company as executive vice-president and general counsel.

Boggs, who will take up his new role on 15 February, has spent more than two decades working in legal departments for large companies. He recently served as general counsel and corporate secretary at silicone and silicone-based technology company Dow Corning, where he oversaw teams in the US, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

He has also held in-house roles with MillerCoors, Intel, Anheuser-Busch Companies, sustainable agriculture company Monsanto, and Tyco Plastics and Adhesives, an operating division of Tyco International.

"Cornell's extensive global experience extends well beyond traditional legal issues," Toys "R" Us CEO Dave Brandon said in a statement. "He brings strong leadership skills, business acumen and an appreciation for the unique complexities of our company. I am confident that he will make a significant contribution to our ongoing transformation and plans for growth."

At Toys "R" Us, Boggs will be responsible for leading all legal, corporate governance and legislative matters for the company, according to the announcement. He will also provide advice and counsel to the leadership team and will work closely with the board of directors.

The news comes shortly after the toy retail chain alerted rewards programme customers that passwords were being reset in response to an attempted hacking that occurred during 2016. The breaches were of websites not associated with Toys "R" Us; however, some customer account information, such as usernames and passwords, was compromised in an attempt to defraud customers, Toys "R" Us public relations manager Nicole Hayes told NBC News.

Former general counsel David Schwartz, who held the role for more than a decade, left to join Canadian retail group Hudson's Bay Company last September.